25 LC 112 3453
House Resolution 661
By: Representatives McClain of the 109
th
, Buckner of the 137
th
, Alexander of the 66
th
, Taylor
of the 92
nd
, Tran of the 80
th
, and others
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX's request to become the first
1
railroad to use Trip Optimizer's Zero-to-Zero feature; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, the safety of Georgians is the paramount duty of government; and3
WHEREAS, numerous train accidents have caused enormous damage to human life and4
property in recent years; and5
WHEREAS, the safety of train operations impacts communities across this state and the6
country; and7
WHEREAS, CSX has applied to the Federal Railroad Administration to become the first8
railroad to use Trip Optimizer's Zero-to-Zero feature, which allows the cruise-control system9
to automatically start and stop trains from beginning to end; and10
WHEREAS, a computer system or algorithm cannot replace the skill, judgment, and11
adaptability of a trained engineer and conductor; therefore, allowing a system that relies12
solely on technology to control the brakes—the train's most essential safety feature—is13
dangerous; and14
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WHEREAS, the Federal Railroad Administration finalized a two-person crew rule in 2024,
15
establishing two-person crews and barring engineer-only operation on most trains; and16
WHEREAS, Trip Optimizer with Air Brake Control is a precursor to autonomous train17
operation; and18
WHEREAS, Zero-to-Zero has yet to be tested systemwide and has only been tested on19
approximately 25 percent of CSX territory, leaving too many unanswered questions for it to20
be implemented systemwide; and21
WHEREAS, becoming a skilled and efficient locomotive engineer requires years of22
locomotive operation, but Zero-to-Zero usage does not allow newly promoted engineers to23
continually develop their train operation skills; and24
WHEREAS, Trip Optimizer usage does not allow experienced locomotive engineers to25
continue refining their skills as trains become longer and heavier, all of which handle26
differently, and its continued use diminishes the skills of experienced engineers due to the27
lack of manual operation; and28
WHEREAS, the Trip Optimizer system on locomotives malfunctions daily, failing to operate29
trains smoothly and allowing for excessive draft and buff forces within the train, which can30
cause train separation, block crossings, delay emergency response vehicles, and lead to31
derailments that put communities at risk; and32
WHEREAS, the Georgia Working Families Legislative Caucus urges the Georgia State33
Senate to call on the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX's request to use Trip34
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Optimizer's Zero-to-Zero feature, which allows the system to automatically start and stop
35
trains when moving from zero to nine miles per hour.36
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that37
the members of this body urge the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX's request38
to use Trip Optimizer's Zero-to-Zero feature, which allows the system to automatically start39
and stop trains when moving from zero to nine miles per hour.40
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized41
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the42
public and the press.43
H. R. 661
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